How do you know?

Early in the last decade, before I found my way here to northern California, I had a very wise client.

When I would share with him some nugget of sage advice or piece of wisdom, he would ask, "how do you know?"  Wasn't being obnoxious.  Just wanted the data source.  Or for you to fess up to sharing an opinion.

I loved it. 

Apparently, this is not necessary, or recommended, when dealing with the new luminaries of the web world.  They just don't seem to think they have to answer the how do you know question.  Often, they emit one of those noxious elitist glares.  You know the one.  The "how dare you ask me a question, I'm one of those In The Know" looks.

My latest experience with this phenomenon was today, when one of those major talents -- genius, actually -- first snubbed by the Old Men In The Know and now sponsored by the New Men In The Know, pontificated about how large corporate entities would never adopt microblogging.  I was not there in person, so I don't know if the glare was emitted.  However.  I must have tweeted four times to another guy on the panel as well as to the emoter himself asking for the data.  You see, I actually work with large companies, so I could use this info.

Did I receive a response?  Of course not!  This is the antisocial side of social media.  Here's the message.  We want you to hang on our every word, but don't ask any questions.  Because we're not to be questioned.  Just followed.

Now we've all been around long enough to know that this is a you-scratch-my-back-I'll-scratch-yours kind of planet.  But.  This kind of behavior is not nice.  Plus, we are an industry that still needs to win points. 

A recent snubbee now feels empowered to be a snubber.  And he's assisted by another guru of socialization in contradicting the reason social tech tools exist.  Not just to further your careers, guys!  But to reach out!  To share!  To connect!

Anyway, back to the data point.  Subsequent tweets revealed that Mr Microblogging Expert proclaimed that web-based video would be a much hotter tool in large corporations.

Guess what he's selling.